“So what?”

“So what?”

 
   Being constantly prepared for any challenges that life throws at us, facing them head-on like a warrior, is something that everyone should strive for. 

        Having the courage to ask oneself –  “So what?”

         in any situation and embracing new and unfamiliar experiences with enthusiasm!

   What I have realized is that rather than dwelling on what is not within our grasp, she teaches us the thrill of pursuing the highest possible achievements and discovering inner contentment, it is more “thrilling” to strive for what comes with the most possible. 

        Upon realizing this, I have let go of concerns about the world.

        Finding and attaining inner joy and contentment is more important than showcasing wealth or impressing the world. 
        It means living as a human being, searching for where true fulfillment and satisfaction lie—not merely existing in the literal sense.

…When seemingly impossible things happen through our own hands, it brings heavenly joy and I have experienced it many times. 
        And the reason behind this extraordinary experience is a determined girl named …….
…….. “Shobha De.”

       Born into the Rajadhyaksha family, Shobha grew up in a middle-class household. 
        From a young age, she was instilled with discipline, limitations, and a strong emphasis on education. Unlike most children, she did not attend school until the age of seven , eight. 
        Despite the modest background, Shobha’s siblings  Mandakini, Ashok, and Kund all were exceptionally intelligent, consistently ranking at the top of their exams, They consistently scored first or second rank in the range of 90 – 95% in their exams.. 

       However, Shobha the youngest child, stood out with her regal upbringing and a touch of sophistication that set her apart. 

      However, their family background was of middle-class status, but Shobha grew up like a princess. 
        Even in her childhood, she used to have pastries every day in the school lunchbox, which was considered a luxury compared to other children. 

       Shobha’s life took a turn when her parents relocated from Delhi to Mumbai. 
        They settled in the posh area of Churchgate, where Shobha discovered a world of luxury and opulence. The fashionable boutiques, theaters, coffee houses, and prestigious residents of Queens Road captivated her, gyms, college campuses, universities, and five-star hotels – a whirlwind of opulence awaited the queen of this glamorous realm!”. 
        This newfound allure sparked a desire to explore life’s pleasures and enjoy it without specific reasons.

        Shobha fearlessly ventured into uncharted territories, eager to experience everything life had to offer.
        She indulged in stolen moments on the balcony, accompanied by pop music, cigarettes, and the bitter taste of beer, Eccentric hairstyles, fashion trends, Hollywood movies, and spicy books clandestinely entered her life. 
        Shobha’s enthusiasm for exploring new realms was unstoppable.

      Even though the window of middle-class values has been occasionally rattled, it still remains unbroken.

        Driven by enthusiasm, she participated in a race, giving her all, breaking barriers and achieving success. That too, as the first ones!
       The soaring spirit, the unstoppable momentum on the ground, and then the long jumps and sprints led to Shobha’s name being registered on the state’s record books. 
        Day by day hard work, the desire to win, the thunderous applause upon accepting trophies, and the prideful collection of accolades brought success back home with pride. Such were the days.

        The enthusiastic spectators filling the packed stadium started chanting ‘Shobha…..Shobha’ with great excitement, and this scene will still be vividly etched in Shobha’s eyes…

        Being known everywhere as an athletics champion, Shobha suddenly developed a liking for basketball. Without considering her career and without hesitation, she left athletics and dedicated herself to basketball.
        This bold move exemplifies Shobha’s willingness to follow her heart and explore new avenues whenever the urge arises.

        Do whatever you like, when the urge arises to explore new things and find inner contentment.

    Shobha’s journey taught us that true fulfillment lies in finding inner joy rather than pursuing material wealth or impressing others. 
        It is about living life as a human being, searching for where true contentment resides. 
        By embracing her unique journey, Shobha carved her own path in the world, content and joyful despite the opinions of others.

        There’s no need to dwell on what we have gained in exchange for what we have lost… Such is life, it has consumed me throughout
(if I have to talk about myself, then all my experiments have ended here).

        But I, too, like Shoba, exist on my own terms in the world, content and joyful. Those who know me well often ask me, ‘What are you doing here…?’

        But instead of living a life devoid of human experiences like a machine, it is far more fulfilling to embrace our humanity and find solutions. 

        Yes, if life is a journey, it is the joy of experiencing where to go and when to arrive that truly appeals to me from the depths of my heart.

        And many of these thoughts have originated from Shobha’s perspective, and there is no doubt about it.

        After completing her schooling at Queen Mary’s School, she joined St. Xavier’s College. On the first day of college, a girl with a bunch of marigold hanging from her hair arrived. She was the only one. 

        Being an intellectual from a middle-class family, she used to attend lectures on ethics and morality at the house, but it didn’t have a significant impact on Shobha.

…Writing love letters to boys, getting caught by ticket checkers, slipping menu cards from restaurants, eating with a long fork on the upper deck of a double-decker bus, wandering around the marine lines on a rented bicycle—she led a lively and adventurous life. 
        In the process, she even disregarded her father’s advice.

        After going to college! Wearing a “guru” t-shirt with “Om” symbol, adorned with big necklaces, and sporting a flower in her hair, she wandered with all her friends in such avatars.
       Sitting in coffee shops, blowing smoke rings from cigarettes, discussing intellectual topics with a serious and thoughtful expression on her face, she would speak for hours, dismissing everyone’s opinions as insignificant. 
        Those were the days when she realized that this college was not suitable for her &  her friends. Other students in college, even the villagers looked smarter. This country also didn’t seem worthy of them; every person in the group had a different perspective.

        In other words, she hasn’t taken much time to flee.

        A fashion show was scheduled to take place in the ballroom of the Taj Mahal Hotel. 
        As Shobha’s father was a senior government official, they would always receive invitations to such events. They handed their father’s pass and went to the Taj.

        While the show was underway, a prominent, well-dressed family approached her and asked, ‘Have you ever done modeling?’

        Shobha thought, ‘I haven’t done it yet, but is there any problem in giving it a try?’

…and along with the fragrance of perfume, she also felt the essence of glamour.

        Fashion photography gave Shobha her first earnings in life, ‘Money means happiness,’ a notion that Shobha encountered right here.

        While many girls around her aspired to be ‘smart and successful,’ Shobha, on the other hand, decided to be ‘unique and unconventional.’

        Currently, without the support of her humble and traditional royal family, she has achieved fame. 
    People were amazed to see how this simple and glamorous-looking person had achieved so much. She started gaining attention from people.

        One day, suddenly, a person named ‘Nari Hira’ posed a question. Indeed, this question had to be pondered by everyone individually. It was a thought-provoking question that made one introspect deeply.
“Are you at the right place?
        And with this question Shobha, who had turned introspective, embarked on a quest to find a nameless yet visionary reality.
         She took the pen in her hand to embark on her writing journey.

        Shobha De’s journey is a testament to the exhilaration that comes from embracing life’s challenges and seeking fulfillment in unconventional ways. 
        Her fearlessness and determination inspire us to let go of the things we cannot control and focus on what truly matters. 

        As we embark on our own unique paths, may we find the courage to ask ourselves ……
……”So what?” 

…giving herself a unique identity…
“Shobha De”
…became an inspiration to many…

                                                                ’Selective Memories’  
                                           25.02.2003